Our Romantic Yearly Trip To Carmel + Kid

Every year between Christmas and New Year's Eve, Chris and I take a trip up to Carmel. It is a trip that we both look forward to every year because the drive is so beautiful and we spend the time reminiscing about the year past and what we hope for the future. This year, the fruits of a past discussion accompanied us and the trip was no less wonderful.

Ashley was a pretty good sport about being stuck in a car seat for so many hours. She slept most of the way and only awoke when we pulled into the Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley. Chris and I had our usual dinner at Wickets Bistro as Ashley snoozed in her seat next to us. In the morning, Ashley enjoyed the comfy bed before heading into Carmel for the day. (This picture cracks me up!!)



After our usual lunch at Tommy's Wok (I have dreams about the Mu Shu Chicken!), we bundled her up in the Bjorn and cruised around the town. It was pretty cold! (For you readers back East, that means in the 40's!)



Of course, there had to be a little child abuse before getting back into the car!



Some of our best pictures together have been in Carmel, so naturally we had to take some with Ashley along the beautiful coastline.




The trip was just as fabulous as always. This little cutie pie has just fit right into our lives seamlessly. I can't imagine being without her.

Ashley's 1st Christmas

Ashley's first Christmas was so much fun! She was dressed in her Christmas best, of course! We were so lucky to have Gigi, Papa, Grammy, Grandpa, Auntie Jenny & Uncle Chris and the Swanson's here to celebrate! Christmas Eve brought the Feast of the Seven Fishes. An Italian feast that we decided to embrace as our tradition going forward. The table, food and company were magical!





Christmas Day brought tons of presents. Ashley was so spoiled by her grandparents, aunts & uncles and cousins! (Note the cute Christmas pants!)


After a lovely dinner with the grandparents, we went to sleep - exhausted from all the festivities. The next morning, we headed up to Carmel for our yearly trip! Stay tuned for pics from the trip!

Mr. and Mrs. Claus

Baby Cousin Sylas was here for a visit this weekend! It was so fun to finally meet him and give Cara a big hug. (She looks FANTASTIC, by the way! Not that it would surprise you!) Ashley and Sylas are going to have so much fun growing up together - only 20 days apart! Sylas is such a mellow, laid back kid. What a hunk! I can hear Ashley's friends now, "Ash, when is your cousin Sy coming to visit again?!"


Cara and I had a blast abusing our kids...enjoy!




Mrs. Claus taking a little winter nap!

Lights! Camera! Action!

Ashley attended her first commercial shoot on Friday. I filled in for my boss because he was in a pinch with some scheduling conflicts. I was a little worried about bringing a baby to the set. Does, "Quiet on the set!" sound familiar?! But I was pleasantly surprised (and proud) that she was the perfect angel! Not a peep the whole 12 hour day! She was the toast of the shoot and everyone wanted to hold her and talk to her. At the end of the day, people were saying, "We should always have a baby on the set! It brings such a sense of zen!"

Here are some pics of the budding Director...
That's Ashley all the way to the right in the purple hat!

I'm Really Going To Miss This...

I think we found Ashley's nanny today. It was our first interview, but Claudia was so warm and friendly and Ashley really seemed to respond to her. Not to mention that she fell asleep in her arms.

It seems funny to me that I started this blog to chronicle my life after the birth of my first child. It really isn't about me anymore. It has become about us. What a self-centered, fantastic and rewarding life I had before she arrived. There is no more time to be self-centered. Much like this blog, it really isn't about me... But now, I feel a love and a joy in my heart that I never could have imagined.

I feel so sad to think that I will be leaving her to go back to work in January. Someone else will be watching over her everyday while I am at work and that kills me a little inside. For the first time in my life, I really feel like I don't know what the right decision is ... I only hope that she feels safe and secure and loved, no matter what.

As my best friend Heather said to me after Ashley was born, "Welcome to a lifetime of worry and guilt."

Jolly 'Ole St. Nick (and Ash!)

Today was Ashley's first visit to see Santa Claus! We met my friend Ann and her one year old daughter Kate at South Coast Plaza and were the 3rd people in line! Thank Goodness, because by the time we were done, the line was a mile long! Ashley was sound asleep when I got her out of the car, so I was able to sneak her little red shoes on before she noticed! (Not that I think she would have cared!)

As we were standing in line, I looked at over at Santa and said to Ann, "Oh look at that poor mom. Her kid is freaking out so she has to be in the picture!" It was Kate's turn next and look what happened...


I don't know why this picture is posting so small, but it cracks me up! It is so cute! Thanks Ann, for letting me post this!

Ashley was up next and plopped right down with Santa - as snug as a bug! I am pretty sure you only get one year of calmness before Santa starts to freak them out! We will take what we can get! Happy Holidays!

A Room Fit For A Princess

I know I posted pics of Ashley's room before she was born, but there was so much more that we wanted to do with it. For one, Chris kept saying, "The only thing I want are letters spelling her name over her crib." (He also suggested a plasma TV, but I really didn't think that request was necessary!)

Then, I was talking with Mor Mor (Grandma Chris, Oma...we still don't know what we are calling her!) and she suggested "Death By Toile!" Well, not really, but I guess you can never have too much toile. So, I ordered the fabric and we planned and schemed around ideas for the room.

Over two visits, she single-handedly made and hung the canopy and curtains for Ashley's room! I would come upstairs in the morning to find her in her silk pajamas on the ladder, using the drill! Honestly, I don't know how she has so much energy! But I am sure glad she does! Here is a picture of Ashley's "DESIGNER" room! It is absolutely FABULOUS!!! (Oh, and that's not a doll on the chair ... that's Ashley!)



Here is a picture of what the canopy looks like...it got cut off in the picture above!

Ashley's First Photo Session!

Wow! Did we have fun yesterday! Ashley had her first official photo session with Erin Palos of Sweet Baby Photo. I was so nervous because Ashley had been smiling and laughing all morning and I wasn't sure if she would have any left to give! When Erin showed up, Ashley was a little tired of performing, but between Dad, Mom and Erin, we managed to coax a few more smiles out of her! Erin did such an amazing job with her and said she would post a few photos that night for us to enjoy. I will admit, my expectations were a little low given my daughter's performance - she was so serious! But when I saw the amazing pictures that Erin took, tears came to my eyes! How lucky we are to have these pictures!

Go to www.sweetbabyblog.com to see a sneak peek of the session! The post is entitled, "Sweet Baby Ashley."

Thanks, Erin, for a fabulous day! We can't wait for another session after the new year! You are so talented!

My Future Executive

Doesn't it look like she is headed to a business meeting? I can't get enough of this dressing up business! It is like having your very own, living doll! (Except it cries and poops...this is what is referred to in the toy biz as a "feature doll' ...)

Chris is out of town in South Carolina for the BC/Clemson game. Apparently, this is a very big game. (Aren't they all!?) Ashley and I have been on our own since Tuesday and have been having a lovely time. Last night she slept for 7 hours! I have been working really hard to get her on the "Baby Wise" schedule. (Eat, Play, Nap ... in that order.) It has been sort of a pain, but now that I am getting used to it, it does make the daytime a little more predictable. And she is napping better, which means I can actually get a few things done. (It is sure hard to force her to take a nap when she looks up at you and laughs! All I want to do is pick her up and kiss her!)

In the back of my mind, my return to work is looming. I have such mixed emotions about it. I miss it ... even though everyone I talk to at the office says that it is insane there right now. But then I look at Ashley's little face and how much she changes every day and I feel so much anxiety about leaving her in someone else's hands. Not that I think the person we choose won't be capable, but I know that no one will feel the intense joy in her little triumphs like me.

My Future's So Bright...I Gotta Wear Shades!

Well, we took our very first family vacation this week. The three of us loaded up the car and headed up to the Bacara in Santa Barbara for a few days. We had a wonderful time. Ashley is the perfect baby. She slept all the way there and when we arrived, she was full of smiles, giggles and coos.Chris and I both think this is such a fun age ... she really has such a cute personality beginning to emerge. I cannot believe how quickly she is changing. When she is awake, she is a total Chatterbox! She loves to flirt and smile - I have never loved anything so much in my life!



But she can sure work the system too! Check out this fussy face! Gotta love it!



(Notice: Crying with Daddy; Laughing with Mommy...)

More Halloween Pictures

This costume was just too big - and my girl doesn't like polyester. Ah, they learn so fast. I am so proud of her!

Happy Halloween!

She is really not into dressing up...or maybe I am just mean!

Have a spooktacular day!

Free At Last, Free At Last...Well, Almost.

Today Ashley turned 7 weeks old! It is also the day that we returned to her doctor for her 2 month checkup and immunizations. At her first appointment, she was in the 50th percentile for height (19.5") and the 20th percentile for weight (6 pounds, 10 ounces). This time, she was 22.5 inches long and in the 65th percentile for height and a whopping 10 pounds, 3 ounces putting her in the 60th percentile for weight! Her doctor said breast milk is pretty much like having a steady diet of Häagen-Dazs ice cream in terms of fat. (Note to self, lay off the Häagen-Dazs!)

The doctor said we were very lucky because Ashley was such a mild tempered baby. She was also very impressed when we told her that Ashley could turn over from her stomach to her back. Apparently, that usually happens at around 4 months! Ashley was doing it at 3 weeks! She is very advanced - we may start filling out applications for gifted programs soon. (Kidding.)

After the glowing doctor's review, the nurse came in to give her the shots. FOUR SHOTS! Poor little thing! But the nurse did them so fast that it was over just as it started. Ashley screamed for about 60 seconds and then that was it. We really are lucky. She is such a sweet baby. Here is a picture of her a few minutes ago - you'd never even know she had to suffer through four shots!



The shots were supposed to be our ticket out of the house, but with the Santiago Canyon fire still burning with no end in site, the air is truly hideous. The smoke even seeps through the windows and doors, so it is hard to escape. And to think that this fire was set intentionally ... unbelievable.

Many of you have asked about the Grammy & Grandpa Larocca's house in Fallbrook. They were evacuated on Monday and are still not allowed back into the area. At this point, their home is untouched by the fire and we are hoping that they are able to get back into the house by the weekend when they return from visiting Baby Sylas in Idaho. I know they have appreciated all of your phone calls and good thoughts.

These fires sure put things in perspective ... hope you are all well.

End Caps Aren't Just For Lightbulbs Anymore...

So I had to go to Target today despite the "rules" of enclosed locations. You see, I have 1 breastpad left. As in One. Uno. Last time I checked I had two boobs. Where did the other breastpad go? Or are breastpad boxes like hot dog buns?! I digress...

This meant the piggy had to come with me. (I call her this and other rude names because she eats like one and is now pushing 10 pounds.) Before we even get in the door, she has a complete meltdown and is rooting around for something to eat. I was forced to sit on the ledge outside and feed her. I might as well just stop shaving my legs - this is getting out of control.

After that escapade, (from which I emerged with a big wet spot on my shirt because she was so intrigued by everything else besides the task at hand), we entered the store. Immediately, she made her serious, "I am pooping a poop beyond all poops imaginable" face. It is a very serious face, with pursed lips and a furrowed brow. Her skin also turns the color of red that I imagine you would paint your face if you were dressing up like the Devil for Halloween. I pretend I don't see this happening and head to the back of the store for the hotdog bun breastpads. This is when the fussing begins. I scramble for the pacifier. She is not having it. She starts punching the air like a little Mike Tyson, (this isn't too far off because she would for sure bite my ears off if she had teeth...), and the fussing gets louder and louder.

I, of course, cannot leave without the breastpads because these things leak at the drop of a hat. (Whose boobs are these anyway!?) Hoping to soothe her, I take her out of her stroller to carry her and put my hand right into a big, wet mess. She has blown out the side of her diaper. OF COURSE SHE HAS! Let me recap, I have just breastfed outside of a Target, am walking around with a big wet stain on my shirt, my child is crying and my hand is covered in her poop. Long gone are the days of cashmere sweaters and Happy Hour at Chat Noir.

As I turn the corner of the aisle with the breastpads, I notice that there is an almost empty end cap. These are the displays that are at the end of an aisle normally used to showcase a sale product. Yeah, I did it...I changed my daughter's diaper on an end cap in Target. But, I like to think of it as a "product demonstration" for Pampers.

In the end, I got my breastpads and by the time we walked back to the car, wouldn't you know it, she was sleeping like a perfect angel.

This makes it all worth while...

Our Little Kitty

You'll need volume to get the full effect, but this is the sweetest sound I have ever heard! (OK, maybe its not so lady-like, but its still cute!)

National Lampoon's Vacation

I know the posts have been few and far between lately, but when you have a 4 week old kid, not much happens in your life! I will admit that the long nights started to take a toll on me last week. It is hard to look cute with huge dark circles under your eyes! Even with makeup, it was obvious I had some rough nights. But I think I may have figured out the answer because the last couple of nights have been great! If I give her a 4-5 ounce bottle around midnight, she will sleep for 4-5 hours. That gets me to 4:45-5AM! Now that is doable!!! (Hmm, maybe the magic formula is an ounce to an hour of sleep! Do you think I can get her to eat 8 ounces?!)

Anyway, Chris and I have declared Sunday to be "Family Day." We thought it would be nice to dedicate one day during the week for just the three of us to spend the day together. Last Sunday was our first "Family Day" and we were very excited. We had grandiose plans to have lunch, walk around Balboa Island - maybe look at some open houses and potentially look at some cars so that I don't break my back every time I try to get Ashley in and out of our sedan.

Lunch went great. We had a lovely al fresco meal at Sharky's and then decided to head over to look at an Open House for Mark McGuire's old home in Shady Canyon. Neither of us had ever been into that development, so we thought it would be fun to check out. Homes range from 3.2M to over 15M! They were gorgeous! So we dreamed about which one we would choose if we ever won the lottery! I decided to try out the Baby Bjorn, which is basically a backpack for your kid, as we toured McGuire's house. It was so fun to have Ashley snuggled up to my chest! She seemed to really like it too!

After that, we decided to take a quick trip to Irvine BMW before our walk around Balboa Island. I took Ashley out of her car seat to strap her into the Baby Bjorn while Chris ran ahead for a bathroom break. I was having trouble getting her in because I hadn't undone one of the straps and was starting to sweat (it was 85 degrees out!) and she was starting to cry! I finally got her in as Chris returned and we shut the door to the car. Immediately, Chris and I realized WE HAD LOCKED OUR KEYS IN THE CAR! The diaper bag was also locked in the car - so no diapers, no bottles, no pacifiers! I was annoyed, but what better place to lock your BMW keys in the car than at a BMW dealership, right? WRONG!!! Apparently, they have to call a locksmith or break your window to get into the car. SERIOUSLY?!

About this time, Ashley decided she was hungry, so she started crying. Mind you, I have no blanket to cover myself with if I decided to feed her there. Just me, my kid, my tank top and our Baby Bjorn. GREAT! We asked them if there was a courtesy shuttle that could drive Chris home to get the spare car key. Of course not! They don't work on Sunday! So, we called a cab which arrived 20 minutes later and Chris paid $50 to take it to our house to get the key. (Oh, by the way, our house key was locked in the car too. But Chris managed to get in with a "secret" key.)

Meanwhile, I hunched in the corner of the Irvine BMW Customer Lounge to feed Ashley - but was basically exposed to the entire world. As each salesman poked his head in to check the score of the Yankee game, I just said, "Oh, don't mind us!" And of course, my daughter decided that should should eat for the ENTIRE hour that it took Chris to cab it home and drive back. Nothing like breaking into the reality of motherhood with your boob hanging out at a car dealership! Ugh!

After Chris got back, our little piglet of a daughter passed out in her carseat, so we decided to salvage the day with our Balboa Island walk. The sun was setting, the weather had cooled off and we had a very nice end to our first "Family Day."

Please read the following with a French Accent:



Ha, Ha, Ha ... Bonjour. I am le bébé Ashley. My mom has promised a photoshoot worthy of French Vogue! I shall try to cooperate this week. Bonsoir!

Child Abuse

Times They Are A Changin'

So, I was lucky enough to have G-Daddy and Christina (we haven't figured out her name yet...) here to babysit so that I could run some errands today. I fed Ashley and jetted out to the mall for two and a half whole hours of shopping bliss! Of course there was a purpose, I had to return some gifts that didn't fit Ashley ... but I also had the opportunity to SHOP ... for me ... and not maternity clothes!!! As I made the rounds to the various children's stores with my returns, I started looking in the windows of my favorite stores, "Pre-Ashley." J. Crew, Banana Republic ... they had some beautiful things on display ... but I found myself thinking, "Hmm, I would have to hike that up around my neck to feed Ashley." and "That would never work with a nursing bra."

In the old days, my biggest concern would be if I had heels high enough for a hem! Or what color lipstick I should buy to match the detail in a sweater! Now I need to worry about wrangling my boobs in and out of a shirt?! This is almost too much...

I guess I will have to focus on clothing my daughter instead! (But ... how will I change her diaper in those cute corduroys?! Oh no! It is starting again!!)

While I calm myself down ... you enjoy the latest pictures of our recent visitors:

Baby Cousin Sylas Has Arrived!

I guess the Larocca kids like to make a big entrance! Chris' sister Cara had her little boy, Sylas, a week early on Thursday. (Guess he took the cue from big cousin Ashley!) He is a super cute little guy and we can't wait for them to meet each other. Congrats to Cara & Weylin on their latest accomplishment!

Ashley is doing well - thanks Aunt Suzy for the note about Mylicon. That has helped somewhat, but I also think the deletion of milk was a big help too. I am trying to get used to Soy Milk, but so far I only like it in my lattes!



BIG PHOTOSHOOT COMING UP! Stay tuned for some super cute pics of Ashley. She is bigger now, so I can get her into some of her fabulous outfits.

Stop and Smell The Roses

Sorry that I haven't posted any pictures lately. I keep forgetting to put the camera on the charger. Not that you have missed much ... Ashley has started to get pretty fussy when she is awake. The poor thing has bad gas pains. It makes me so sad because there isn't much I can do for her. The pacifier helps a little bit because I think sucking on it is soothing to her. (Thank goodness my boobs can have a break too!) I have also stopped drinking milk to see if she has an allergy or intolerance to dairy. This seems weird since I drank COW-FULLS of milk and ate Hagaan-Daas into a record profit year while I was pregnant with her. But, we'll see if it helps.

The past few days, we have been walking around Balboa Island. Fresh air is one of the allowable outings of my prison sentence. It is pretty peaceful strolling along and looking at all the beautiful homes and boats and listening to the gentle lapping of waves on the shore. Its funny because I thought there would be a lot of moms and strollers cruising around, but oddly enough, its just me and the retired set. Its cute to see them walking hand in hand around the island or sitting on park benches watching the boats go by ... I sure hope Chris and I have such a lovely life to look forward to after Ashley has grown up.

What a great place we live - our lives have been so busy that its been hard to take advantage of our beautiful surroundings. It is nice to be able to slow down and just appreciate how lucky we are that we have so much to enjoy right at our fingertips.

I Hope This Doesn't Mean...

...my daughter is an aspiring plumber!

PRISON BREAK!

Today, Ashley and I ventured out for an hour to the Coffee Bean for visit with a friend from our ad agency. I kept her covered up (except for this picture) and we sat outside in a well-ventilated area. I can tell you that this single hour really did a lot for me and it was so good to catch up with my colleague. Ash was a perfect angel and was sacked out out for the entire visit. She really is such a good girl!

This weekend, Grammy & Grandpa Larocca will be up for a visit on Saturday and Gigi will be here on Sunday. I am hoping to sneak out for a quick mani/pedi and maybe a visit with my friend Ann. Some sushi would be good too! If I can accomplish one of those things, I will be very happy!

I Am The Muffin Man

I'll admit it ... last night was a little rough. Ashley seems to want to eat every hour. I feel like I am cow living on a dairy farm. I know she is underweight, so there is a reason that she is eating like a linebacker, but I found myself holding really still last night hoping that she would drift back to sleep without making me get up to feed her again. (FYI - That tactic does not work...)

So, my routine goes something like this: get up, change her diaper, feed her, burp her, wrap her back up and pray to high Heaven that she goes right back to sleep. This process takes about an hour - and all the while Chris is snoring. How does this man sleep so soundly?! I am almost offended. (I'm not ... at least one of us is getting some sleep!)

Exhausted at the 9am feeding, I tried to put her back in her bassinet, but she was NOT having it. So, I unwrapped her and plopped her into bed next to me. Wouldn't you know it? She slept like a log until 11:30.

After we got up, I decided to get out my pre-pregnancy jeans just to evaluate the situation. As I pulled the box off the top shelf in the closet where it had been collecting dust for 9 months, I asked myself why I felt it was necessary to force an early onset of depression? I pulled them up over my legs ... and then over my butt ... and then over my hips - and to my dismay, they zipped up and buttoned!

Holy Cow, the little Heifer had eaten so much that I fit into my old jeans again!!!!!! OK, let me be honest here ... I have a HUGE Muffin Top that rolls over the waistband, but I was in them and damn it if I wasn't going to celebrate. I packed up Ashley and we took off for In N Out Burger faster than you can say Combo #2 with no onions and a Coke!

Mother Nature has an interesting way of creating incentives, doesn't she? Eat up, little Piglet! Eat up!

Home Alone

Today was our first day completely alone. It was a lovely day - we slept in until 11am. (Meaning, we were up at 12am, 2:30am, 5am and 7am and THEN slept until 11.) It was very peaceful to just feed her and then snuggle a bit while she slept.




I checked in with work today and couldn't really get much from anyone. I know they are trying to respect my time at home with Ashley, but I DYING to know what is going on there! I am trying not to seem too nosey because I don't want them thinking that I am checking in because I don't think they can handle things on their own. The lucky thing for me is that I have 5 extremely capable people that work for me ...

Falling In Love...

...with your husband all over again is an amazing feeling.



Chris is so good with Ashley. He is a typical, over-protective father and wants to make sure everyone is supporting her head, holding her correctly and has clean hands before he can feel comfortable. He regularly announces how cute she is and claims that there has never been a cuter baby born in to this world. He always sighs and says, "I just love her so much..."

I'll post again today, but this picture of the two of them sleeping was just too cute to wait...

"You're KILLING Me, Larry!"

Today was Ashley's 1st doctor's appointment with Dr. Downes. She is a very nice woman and extremely informative. She took a lot of time to explain all the little changes we will see in Ashley and all the weird little things she will do that are normal. Ashley now weighs 6 lbs, 10 ounces and is 19" long. She is in the 50th percentile for height and 20th for weight. But because she has already gained weight since we left the hospital, her doctor was not at all worried that those numbers wouldn't go up. We had thought Ashley would get a few shots today, but she won't get her immunizations until she is 6 weeks old because their little bodies don't have any immunities to build up yet. So here is the kicker ...

I can't take her out in public places for SIX WEEKS!!!!

Are you kidding me? How am I going to deal with this? I felt like I had just been given a six week prison sentence.

I said, "Can we just take her out for a quick lunch if we cover her up?!" I am sure Dr. Downes could sense the desperation in my voice. "What if we eat outside!?"

She said, "Well ... if you need to get out and you are outside in a well-ventilated area and avoid malls, shopping centers, restaurants..." blah, blah, blah

- Basically, I can't go anywhere. How am I supposed to revel in my newfound "Ladies Who Lunch" status if I can't parade her around in cute little outfits at Fashion Island?! Dressing her up and shopping online just doesn't have quite the same effect.

Besides that bomb that was dropped, Dr. Downes said that Ash was PERFECT, so we are going to take her word for it.

People, my child is PERFECT... you can't argue with medicine.